# NTSB investigations: VFR encounter with IMC

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 5 · 247 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA257.md): Cessna 140 · Shelter Cove, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 17, 2025 · N89447
  > On August 17, 2025 about 1521 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89447, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB ERA25FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA195.md): FFF Express 2000 FT · Polk, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 5, 2025 · N519EA · Substantial damage
  > On May 5, 2025, about 1940 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built FFF LLC Express 2000 FT airplane, N519EA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Polk, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated…
- [NTSB CEN25FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA124.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Danville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Mar 15, 2025 · N331ES · Destroyed
  > On March 15, 2025, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N331ES, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Danville, Virginia. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB ERA25LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA130.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Manchester, VT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 26, 2025 · N43DN · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the accumulation of airframe icing and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.
- [NTSB ERA25FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA119.md): Cessna 208 · Pierson, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 14, 2025 · N40EA · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB GAA25WA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA066.md): Piper 28 · Banktown, Australia · Occurrence · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Jan 15, 2025 · VH-BTN · No damage
- [NTSB GAA25WA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA036.md): Cessna 340A · Magny-lès-Villers, France · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 2, 2024 · N340GJ · Destroyed
- [NTSB GAA25WA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA25WA007.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · La Bretonnière la Claye, France · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Oct 7, 2024 · N456AR · Destroyed
- [NTSB ANC24FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA089.md): Bell 206B · King Salmon, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 7, 2024 · N306FW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.
- [NTSB CEN24FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N9626K · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB CEN24FA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA326.md): Rans S19 · Crofton, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N519JR · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of low cloud cover and precipitation which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR24FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA270.md): Cessna 182K · Augusta, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 8, 2024 · N2764Q · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue a visual flight rules flight into a rugged mountain area in deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN24FA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA295.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Irene, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 31, 2024 · N903US · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB ANC24LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA069.md): Beech A35 · Gustavus, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2024 · N410B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24FA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA294.md): Cessna 182 · Rutherfordton, NC · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 8, 2024 · N2198G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from clouds, resulting in controlled flight into terrain due to mountain obscuration.
- [NTSB CEN24FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA243.md): Waco YKC · Selden, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 30, 2024 · N14137 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which had not been forecast at the time of departure, and which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR24FA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA202.md): Air Tractor AT-802A · Capitan, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 21, 2024 · N331BS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight through an apparent visual corridor that rapidly narrowed due to rising terrain and mountain obscuration, resulting in momentary instrument meteorological conditions and the pilot’s subsequent…
- [NTSB GAA24WA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA321.md): Cessna TR-182 · Trieben, Austria · Accident · No injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · May 25, 2024 · OY-RSC · Substantial damage
- [NTSB WPR24FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA156.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 19, 2024 · N22MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.
- [NTSB ANC24FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA032.md): Taylorcraft BC12-D · Nondalton, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2024 · N95744 · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into the water.
- [NTSB WPR24FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA105.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Madras, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 10, 2024 · N3264W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with turbulence and structural icing conditions, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA24LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA134.md): Cessna 150 · Clay, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 9, 2024 · N1703Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt a VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB ERA24FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA120.md): Piper PA32 · Jackson, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 24, 2024 · N8963N · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB CEN24MA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24MA111.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 · Halloran Springs, CA · Accident · 6 fatal · Class 2 · Major · Final report · Feb 10, 2024 · N130CZ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its…
- [NTSB ERA24FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA077.md): Zenith Stol CH701 · Marienville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2023 · N4209W · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating visibility conditions at night, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent descent that continued to ground contact.
- [NTSB WPR24FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA040.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Mertzon, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 26, 2023 · N7763W · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overconfidence.
- [NTSB GAA24WA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA043.md): Rockwell 112 · Kasberg, Grünau im Almtal, Austria · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 25, 2023 · D-ELPO · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA23FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA384.md): Cessna 150K · Gilford, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 30, 2023 · N6312G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during visual flight rules flight in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s motivation to depart on the flight despite being made aware that conditions…
- [NTSB CEN23FA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA283.md): Beech A36 · Rayville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 7, 2023 · N15RP · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during the approach to the destination airport and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA285.md): Piper PA-60-601P · Burlington, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 6, 2023 · N100PB · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA23WA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA23WA177.md): Socata Rallye 180 · Arkösund, Norrköping, Sweden · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Jun 18, 2023 · HA-BNS
- [NTSB CEN23FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA187.md): Cessna 172 · Chambers, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 15, 2023 · N2946U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ANC23LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Skwentna, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 9, 2023 · N704T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR23FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA141.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Oxbow, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 2, 2023 · N424SW · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in airframe ice accretion and a subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA131.md): Cessna 150G · Hillsville, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 27, 2023 · N2991J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and…
- [NTSB WPR23FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA083.md): Piper PA-34-220T · New Harmony, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 4, 2023 · N814WT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB ERA23FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA048.md): Beech A36 · Harlan, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 3, 2022 · N84R · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions during an approach to land at an airport in mountainous terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s hazardous…
- [NTSB ANC23LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA002.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2022 · N3432W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22FA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA354.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sisters, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 22, 2022 · N7063R · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s degraded judgement due to fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR22FA347](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA347.md): Skiles Kenneth C RV-6A · Preston, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 14, 2022 · N992KS · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR22FA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA345.md): Piper PA46 · Seligman, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 13, 2022 · N43605 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplane’s design limitations, and in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB GAA22WA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA265.md): Robinson R66 · Zapallar, Chile · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Foreign · Sep 4, 2022 · CC-DFY · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ERA22FA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA368.md): Piper PA32 · Metz, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 11, 2022 · N720RP · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s intentional visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions based on latent weather information, which resulted in the airplane entering extreme precipitation, a loss of aircraft control, and in-flight break-up.
- [NTSB WPR22FA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA298.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Blyn, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 10, 2022 · N379DH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued operation of the airplane with known mechanical malfunctions with the flight displays, and his continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR22FA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA255.md): Aeronca 7BCM · Lake McMurray, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 16, 2022 · N2588C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA22FA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA314.md): Cessna 210C · Shelby, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2022 · N3659Y · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to commence the flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '401')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/cases

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